"Yeah. Professor Greenberg. So, did you?"
"If you're asking if I paid him off, the answer's no."
"I don't mean with money," she said. "I meant with that lecture."
Every once in a while, I lectured at college campuses – usually Ivy League or something nearly as pricey. None of these had been my idea. Rather, they'd been favors for some bigwig or another as part of the publishing or movie deals.
But this one?For once, the idea was all mine.
And why?
It was because Professor Numnuts had gone squeamish at the idea of setting up an internship two months past the deadline.
Even as he'd kissed my ass up and down, he'd told me that it was never done, apologizing repeatedly while making noises about the college administrators being "real sticklers for the rules."
In reply, I'd toldhimthat this was the exception – and then sweetened the deal to make it happen. The thing is, I would've bribed him with a fat check if that's what it took.
For me, it would've been better. Money, I had in spades. But time? Not so much.
Still, I knew what I was doing. For Becka's sake, this was the best way to go – sealing the dealwithoutraising red flags that would haunt her down the road.
But now, from the look on her face, she wasn't seeing it.
I asked, "What's the problem?"
"I don't want any special treatment."
"Good," I said. "Because you're not gonna get it. It's hard work. And your boss is a dick."
Her eyes narrowed. "You mean you?"
"Well, you're not working for someone else."
"I'm just saying, I feel kind of funny that I didn't get it on my own."
"Don't," I said. "The truth is, I had a sudden vacancy."
"Oh come on! You did not."
"You wanna bet?"
"Yes." Her chin lifted. "As a matter of fact, I do."
In case she didn't get it, I informed her, "That was a rhetorical question."
"So what?" she said. "I'mstillwilling to bet." She gave me a thin smile. "So…you have proof of this 'vacancy'?"
I did. But she wouldn't like it.Still, I leaned back in my chair and said, "Let's say I do. Are you gonna accept the gig and be done with it?"
"Maybe."
"That's no answer," I said. "Say yes, or you don't get the proof."
She stiffened. "All right, fine. Yes."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone.
As I did, Becka gave me a wary look. Ignoring the look, I pulled up my last voicemail and hit play. I handed Becka the phone without further comment.
